Irish magnate JP McManus is spending around €150million in creating the ultimate beach hideaway on one of the world’s most exclusive stretches of coastline.

Set by golden sands in Barbados, long a haunt of the rich and famous, it is probably the most expensive holiday home ever built.

But it appears on this latest project, money is no object for the tycoon, who co-owns the renowned Sandy Lane Resort just along the road.

The beachside mansion has two wings, north and south, on the island’s “Platinum Coast”, where house prices average around £15million.

There are 11 huge en-suite bedrooms for JP’s family, friends and very special VIP guests.

Such is the lavish nature of the decor that workmen from India, Pakistan and Afghanistan have joined forces with labourers, interior design experts and fitters from the UK, Italy, Germany, France and Caribbean islands such as Trinidad and Tobago.

Middle East expertise was needed to create marble reception areas – with glassblowers used to produce magnificent chandeliers.

Local workers skilled in the use of coral – good for absorbing water and maintaining heat – have been used to “insulate” balconies, walls and balustrades.

It has been around 18 months in construction, but should be finished within weeks, thanks to round-the-clock shifts.

They queue up every morning at the gate on the coast road as tourists pass on the way to the golf courses and restaurants of nearby Holetown and Bridgetown.

One worker said: “There have been teams here from the around the globe.

“They needed people from India, Pakistan and Afhganistan. But there are also fitters from the UK. Countries like Germany, Italy and France have also got workers here.

“The language used is English. Many may not speak English, but we made sure their managers did.

“It has worked and is a very impressive property, just as the Sandy Lane is down the road. No expense has been spared.”

Magnate JP McManus (Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins Agency)

The Sandy Lane Resort has attracted business tycoons, royalty and stars such as Madonna, Simon Cowell and Tiger Woods for years.

JP and a group of fellow tycoons invested around €355million on transforming the property after buying it in 1998.

However, the Irish magnate’s new holiday home is a private residence which will be used by him for family holidays in Barbados.

Construction on the site, which is heavily guarded and surrounded by high walls, fencing and barbed wire, is expected to enter its final phase next month.

It should to be ready to take its first very lucky visitors by Christmas.

Billionaire John Patrick McManus, known as JP, is a former bookie. The dad of three owns more than 100 horses and has a €20million mansion in Limerick.

He has also raised tens of millions of euro for charity. Diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009, he made a full recovery after treatment in America.

A Sandy Lane spokeswoman declined to comment on JP’s latest venture.

She stressed it was not part of the hotel complex, but a private residence, despite being “next door” to Sandy Lane.